Minister Burke announces €250,000 in funding to continue to support the Irish Men’s Sheds Association

Press release
From Department of Health

Published on 6 August 2024
Last updated on 7 August 2024

Minister for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy, Colm Burke has announced renewed funding of €250,000, which will continue the Department of Health’s support of the Irish Men’s Sheds Association. This funding acknowledges the contributions of the Irish Men’s Sheds to their communities through their civic, recreational, and social activities, and their positive impact on the physical and mental wellbeing of members.

The Irish Men’s Sheds Association now provides benefits to thousands of men across Ireland. Achievements in 2023 included the establishment of an additional 20 new sheds and support for the development of Men’s Sheds in Mountjoy Prison Training Unit, Castlerea Prison, Shelton Abbey Open Prison, and the National Rehabilitation Hospital Dun Laoghaire. The Sheds Information Helpline assisted 4115 men with queries in relation to either running and operating, or joining, a Men’s Shed. Information packs and webinars were also developed and delivered covering a range of topics providing support around the management and running of Men’s Sheds to help ensure shed sustainability and the health and wellbeing benefits for all its users.

Separately in 2023, Sheds for Life, a community-based ten-week Health Promotion programme also supported by Healthy Ireland, was delivered to 341 men across 30 sheds in Donegal, Sligo and Cork. This programme is aimed at engaging men to successfully facilitate more open and meaningful discussions around their physical and mental wellbeing whilst encouraging men to maintain healthier lifestyle choices and increase their awareness in areas such as physical activity, healthy eating and mental wellbeing. The initiative uses gender-specific strategies to engage men with health and wellbeing in a familiar and safe environment. Programme components include health screenings, diabetes workshops, mind your mental health talks, Cancer prevention workshops, healthy food and nutrition component, exercise for shedders, digital training component, bereavement and loss talks, oral health and dental awareness workshops. This programme has continued through 2024 in counties Clare, Kerry, Wexford, Tipperary and Kilkenny.

Minister for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy, Colm Burke said:

“It is clear from the work completed last year that the funding provided by Healthy Ireland has made a meaningful impact to the health and wellbeing of men across our country. We know that men’s sheds are reported to have a highly beneficial effect on members’ sense of wellbeing, connectedness, and self-esteem. I had the pleasure of visiting a number of sheds recently and was really struck by the talent, the welcome and the camaraderie evident at each shed. I am delighted to continue this funding which will help to provide supportive environments for men to engage and increase their social interactions.”

Acting Chief Medical Officer, Colette Bonner said:

“Research continues to show a life expectancy gap between men and women. Men are more likely to die younger than women and have higher mortality rates for leading causes of death such as heart disease, cancer, and suicide.

“Addressing these disparities requires targeted interventions and awareness campaigns tailored to men’s specific health needs. We know that connecting with others and keeping active in body and mind is vital to maintaining good mental and physical health.

“Men’s Sheds provide a space for men to come together, learn new skills and socialise with their peers and play a very important role in empowering men to take proactive steps to improve their health and wellbeing.”

CEO of the Irish Men’s Sheds Association, Enda Egan, welcomed the funding and said:

“We are immensely grateful to Minister Burke and the Department of Health for their continued support and generous funding of €250,000 which will help place the movement on a sustainable footing. This renewed investment is not only a testament to the valuable contributions of Irelands 435 Men’s Sheds to strengthen and enhance communities across Ireland but also a major acknowledgment of the positive impact sheds have on the general health and wellbeing of our members.

“Men sometimes join a local Shed to get involved in various projects or to be active in a workshop, however as time passes all men report that it is the camaraderie and social aspect that really connects them emotionally to the shed, with the kettle very often been sighted as the most important tool in the shed.

“This funding announced today allows us to continue our commitment to expanding our reach and providing truly inclusive community spaces to support all men from all walks of life and exemplifying our slogan ‘There is a role for every man in a Men’s Shed’.”